Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs keeping an eye on Sunderland’s teenage sensation Chris Rigg.
The 17-year-old midfielder made a significant impact last season, breaking into Sunderland’s first team and featuring in each of the Black Cats’ final 13 Championship matches.
He led England as captain in the recent UEFA European Under-17 Championships, where the team was eliminated by Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Rigg has already played for the England under-18s and is highly regarded as a future top-level talent.
As a result, Liverpool are among the elite teams tracking Rigg’s progress, with his current contract set to expire in 2025.
According to a report in HITC, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Newcastle, Sunderland’s local rivals, are also in the running for Rigg’s signature.
However, the homegrown talent is set to disappoint these suitors by signing a new contract with Sunderland, extending his terms well beyond 2025.
With Regis Le Bris now coaching the northeast side, they will continue to benefit from their star youth academy product for the foreseeable future.
Rigg, who turned 17 in June, made his debut in January 2023 during an FA Cup match against Shrewsbury. Though he had to wait for regular involvement under then-manager Tony Mowbray, he has made significant progress since breaking into the first team.
He appeared in 23 second-tier matches last season, scoring twice and drawing attention from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
Rigg holds the record of being Sunderland’s youngest-ever goalscorer and the youngest goalscorer in the history of the EFL Cup.
Chelsea have been actively acquiring academy talents recently, including two highly-rated 18-year-olds during this summer’s transfer window.
Marc Guiu, a striker, has been brought in from Barcelona, while Omari Kellyman has joined from Aston Villa.
Liverpool have also succeeded in recruiting young talents from across the UK, with recent additions such as Trey Nyoni and Ben Doak.
Additionally, Alvin Ayman is anticipated to transfer to Merseyside this summer from Wolves, where he has been building a strong reputation in the youth ranks.
Meanwhile, Chelsea youth star Ryan McAidoo is reported to have selected Liverpool as his next destination.
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